Myles Lewis-Skelly has established himself as a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad in recent months, and is close to agreeing a new contract at Arsenal, Arsenal Insider understands.
The teenager has started nine Premier League games this season, all of which have come since he made his first start in December.
Arguably ahead of Riccardo Calafiori in the left-back pecking order at the moment, Lewis-Skelly is now making waves for England on the international stage, scoring on his debut for the Three Lions on Friday.
With his current contract at the Emirates set to expire in the summer, the Gunners are eager to secure the starlet’s long-term future as soon as possible.
Arsenal ‘close’ to agreeing new contract with Myles Lewis-Skelly
As soon as Thomas Tuchel opted to call Lewis-Skelly up to the senior England squad, the Hale End graduate’s stock rose significantly.
A promising youngster who has flirted with the prospect of becoming Arsenal’s first-choice left-back now boasts international pedigree, and is thus deserving of a lucrative new contract.
Currently earning a purported £4,000 a week (via Capology), the 18-year-old should be in line for a significant pay rise that takes him closer to what some of the senior squad players are earning in N5.
These fresh payment terms are expected to come to fruition soon, with TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey telling Arsenal Insider that an agreement is close.
“Lewis-Skelly was one of the stories of the season before his brilliant England debut and Arsenal are delighted with him,” he said.
“They have been talking a new deal with him since the turn of the year and that new deal is close.”
Ethan Nwaneri is also expected to sign a new contract, meaning Arsenal are set to secure the long-term commitment of their two brightest academy prospects.
What Jude Bellingham said about Myles Lewis-Skelly
One man who knows what it’s like to burst onto the scene at a young age is Jude Bellingham, who created Lewis-Skelly’s debut goal for England with a perfectly weighted through-ball.
Bellingham had his say on Lewis-Skelly’s performance after the Albania clash, waxing lyrical about the young defender.
“He finished it really well, really happy for him,” the Real Madrid man said.
“An amazing first game and really nice and well-taken first goal, a win and he will never forget it.
“We hope as a team that he only has to worry about his own head and his own coolness and obviously, he has plenty of that.”
Such positive words from a player of Bellingham’s calibre will mean a lot to Lewis-Skelly, but the wonderkid won’t be resting on his laurels, with his imminent first big contract likely to spur him on.
The Arsenal man will be directly pitted against new international teammate when the Gunners take on Real Madrid in the Champions League next month.
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